Authorities in New York City have disclosed the cause of death for a 56-year-old woman who tragically lost her life on Monday after falling into an open manhole.
The woman, identified as Donike Gocaj, fell 10 feet into the uncovered manhole after exiting a parked SUV, as reported by WABC. She resided in Westchester County and was a mother to a son and daughter and a grandmother to two grandchildren, according to People.
On Wednesday, New York City’s chief medical examiner told People that Gocaj’s demise was ruled an accident, resulting from “scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso.”
Police sources informed ABC News that they believe heat from underground steam led to Gocaj suffering cardiac arrest following her fall.
There was no construction activity at the location of Gocaj’s fall, although the missing manhole cover was found 15 feet from the site.
Carlton Wood, a witness to Gocaj’s fall, recounted to WABC TV that she repeatedly cried out, “I’m dying” during the ordeal.
“She wasn’t distracted, she didn’t walk onto a construction site,” Wood explained. “She just parked her car, got out, and fell right into the manhole.”
Gocaj was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Con Edison, responsible for the manhole, reviewed footage and concluded that a truck had unintentionally displaced the cover approximately 12 minutes before the incident occurred, according to NBC New York.
“We are examining the details, and while this is an unusual occurrence, manhole covers can be displaced by heavy vehicles. Our thoughts remain with her family, and ensuring safety continues to be our priority,” Con Edison said in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday.
